Release Detail

February 3, 2006 - Wal-Mart Is Mixed Blessing, But We Would Shop There,
New York City Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll;
Police Do Good Job On Terrorism, But City Is Not Ready

By a 51 - 37 percent margin, New York City voters support Wal-Mart opening stores in New
York City, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Even respondents from
union households support Wal-Mart 47 - 37 percent.

After asking that simple support/oppose question, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-
uh-pe-ack) University poll asked New York City voters if they agree or disagree with a number
of statements on this controversial issue. Voter attitudes are:

46 percent say Wal-Mart should be allowed to open stores in the city only if it allows
workers to unionize, while 29 percent say open with or without unions and 19
percent say Wal-Mart should not be allowed to open at all.

After this sequence, voters said 65 - 29 percent, including 63 - 31 percent among voters
from union households, that they would shop at Wal-Mart if one opened near them.

"New Yorkers sympathize with the plight of their fellow workers and their local mom
and pop stores, but a bargain is a bargain," said Quinnipiac Poll Director Douglas Schwartz,
Ph. D.

"As Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council deal with the issue of big box
retail, they might be guided by the axiom that money talks and rhetoric walks," Dr. Schwartz
added.
Police Approval

By a 75 - 17 percent margin, New York City voters approve of the way the Police
Department is handling the terrorism threat, but voters say 59 - 32 percent that the city is not
adequately prepared to deal with terrorism.

"While two-thirds of New York City voters say security measures should not
infringe on their civil liberties, most voters see no problem with random bag checks or with
police infiltrating protest groups," Dr. Schwartz said.
From January 25 - 30, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,072 New York City registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and nationwide
as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ray Kelly is handling his job as
Police Commissioner?

23. Which comes closer to your view --
A. the government should take all steps necessary to prevent additional acts of
terrorism in the United States even if it means your basic civil liberties
would be violated;
or
B. the government should take steps to prevent additional acts of terrorism but
not if those would violate your basic civil liberties?

TREND: Which comes closer to your view --
A. the government should take all steps necessary to prevent additional acts of
terrorism in the United States even if it means your basic civil liberties
would be violated.
or
B. the government should take steps to prevent additional acts of terrorism but
not if those would violate your basic civil liberties?

24. As you may know, in response to the terrorist attacks in London, the New
York City Police began conducting random searches of subway and bus passengers
carrying bags or backpacks. Do you support or oppose the New York City Police
doing this?

TREND: As you may know, in response to the recent terrorist attacks in London,
the New York City Police began conducting random searches of subway and bus
passengers carrying bags or backpacks. Do you support or oppose the New York
City Police doing this?

Feb 3 Aug 19
2006 2005

Support 76 72
Oppose 22 25
DK/NA 3 4

25. Do you think the New York City police should be permitted to have undercover
officers join protest groups as a way to gather information or not?

26. Have you heard or read anything about the possibility of Wal-Mart opening
stores in New York City?

Union
Tot Men Wom HsHolds

Yes 58% 61% 55% 68%
No 41 39 44 30
DK/NA 1 1 1 2

27. Do you support or oppose Wal-Mart opening stores in New York City?

Union
Tot Men Wom HsHolds

Support 51% 47% 55% 47%
Oppose 37 41 35 37
DK/NA 11 12 11 15

28. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement --
Wal-Mart's lower prices benefit New Yorkers who would shop there.
IF 'AGREE': Do you agree strongly or do you agree somewhat?
IF 'DISAGREE': Do you disagree somewhat or do you disagree strongly?

29. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement --
Wal-Mart's lower prices hurt smaller businesses in the surrounding neighborhood.
IF 'AGREE': Do you agree strongly or do you agree somewhat?
IF 'DISAGREE': Do you disagree somewhat or do you disagree strongly?

30. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement --
Wal-Mart doesn't pay its workers enough in wages and medical benefits.
IF 'AGREE': Do you agree strongly or do you agree somewhat?
IF 'DISAGREE': Do you disagree somewhat or do you disagree strongly?

31. Which statement comes closest to your point of view about Wal-Mart
opening stores in New York City --
A. They should be allowed to open stores only if they allow workers to join
labor unions.
B. They should be allowed to open stores regardless of whether or not they
allow workers to join labor unions.
C. They should NOT be allowed to open stores in New York City either way.